We’re your gateway to international trade, providing a unique combination of expert knowledge, essential documentation and the business connections needed to capitalise on new market opportunities overseas and succeed in a global marketplace.
What is localisation and why is it important? Top Tips from Iwona Lebiedowicz, founder of PAB Languages Centre Our world is more connected than it’s ever been before. And as a business owner, I’m always conscious of the next opportunity for growth that these wider connections create for us all. However, failing to adapt your product or service marketing to different regions will impact your ability to grow your business. For instance, your website could have all the elements to be successful, a great design, well-written content, but if you’re only communicating in English, anyone who speaks another language won’t be able to find you. You’re missing out on a goldmine of potential customers, not only in Cambridgeshire but overseas as well. According to customer behaviour research, the majority of website visitors (87%) will not buy products from a website they cannot understand. We’ve found that non-English speaking visitors, whether in the UK or overseas, exited websites within seconds when presented with English-only content. So, if you want to be successful in engaging with and selling to international audiences – you need localisation services. But what is localisation? Localisation involves the process of text translation as well as any or all of the following: • Modifying your content to suit the tastes and habits of local markets
• A ddressing economic, historical, and sometimes political references • Adjusting images, icons, colours to the local tastes and culture • Changing dates, addresses, phone numbers, etc. to fit a local format • Converting to local currencies and units of measure. Localisation isn’t just about getting your language, layout and graphics right though, it can also protect you from awkward situations. Without truly understanding the culture of the people who speak the language, it can be easy to unintentionally offend people. The team at PAB Languages Centre come from all over the world and understands all the elements and cultural references you’ll need to take account of when speaking to your audiences. Our creative linguists will use the right words, the right style, and tone to ensure you are communicating effectively with your international audience. Get in touch today on 07799 772 360 to discuss your project.
Out of Hours ChamberCustoms Since 1 January 2022 we have noticed that many EU imports/ exports are travelling across the borders under inventory linking, and many of these shipments are travelling overnight. Now that your goods have to be pre-lodged before arriving at the border, this means that if cargo inventory linking is required and the manifest is not raised until after 5.00pm, your goods will not be permitted to cross the border in the arriving country because we only usually operate a 9.00am-5.00pm service Monday-Friday. This may result in you incurring port charges and demurrage costs, particularly if goods are coming in over the weekend and will be held for more than a few hours. Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce have put in place procedures for us to ensure any shipments going out overnight or
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at the weekend are covered by us on an ‘Out of Hours Service’. The cost of this will be an additional £10.00 (plus VAT)*. As long as we are provided with the customs declaration instructions by 3.00pm on the day of shipment (or by 3.00pm Friday if a weekend shipment) we will be able to process the declaration and claim inventory out of hours, ensuring your goods can cross the borders smoothly. *additional costs may be applied if the information supplied to us for claiming inventory is incorrect, or other amendments are required to clear goods. To be able to do this, you must ensure that you are providing the relevant container number, shipping vessel details and where possible the bill of lading number. This information is required in addition to any other information you would normally provide us.
